Dec 30, 2022
Search This Site:
LUTUM
| Owner(s) | Gavin Chanin, Bill Price |
| Web site | www.lutumwines.com |
| Link to this site |
Bill Price, owner of Classic Wines and Price Family Vineyards, along with Santa Barbara County winemaker Gavin Chanin, have launched a new Pinot Noir and Chardonnay label. LUTUM is Latin for “dirt” or “soil” and references the partner’s mission to make wines that reflect the great vineyards of California. The first wines were released from the 2011 vintage and available through a mailing list offering. The inaugural wines include a 2011 Durell Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir ($60) and a 2011 La Rinconada Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir ($50). Chardonnay will be added to the lineup beginning with the 2012 vintage, as well as additional vineyard sources including Bien Nacido, Gap’s Crown and Sanford & Benedict vineyards.
Price, who owns part of the Durell Vineyard, the Gap’s Crown Vineyard and ownership interests in Three Sticks, Kistler, Kosta Browne and Gary Farrell wineries, was so impressed with Chanin’s winemaking talent and philosophical focus at such a young age (Chanin is 27-years-old), Price asked him to partner in a winery. Chanin was previously an assistant winemaker at Qupé and Au Bon Climat and has his own label, Chanin Wine Co. The wines are crafted at LUTUM’s new winery in Lompoc.
Bill Price and Gavin Chanin announced in February 2019 that their partnership was transitioning to a close. They each decided to focus on their own eponymous brands - Bill with Three Sticks Wines and Gavin with Chanin Wine Co. The same vineyard designates that were produced with Lutum will still be available between the two projects. The last stock of Lutum wines was sold starting on February 28, 2019.
Articles About LUTUM
2015 California Pinot Noir Honorable Mention All-Americans (10.23 12/27/2015)
Gap’s Crown: Cool Climate Grape Nirvana (11.22 4/14/2018)
LUTUM Wines: Exceptional (Young) Winemaking Talent at Work (10.10 5/11/2015)
LUTUM: Promising New Sta. Rita Hills Producer (9.36 1/20/2014)
Pinot Briefs (9.33 11/9/2013)
Reviewed Wines
2015 LUTUM Gap’s Crown Vineyard Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
13.2% alc., $50. Fruit picked in the early
morning at 22.3º Brix, pressed and put into French oak barrels, 25% new. After fermentation and aging for 15
months, the wine was lightly fined and bottled unfiltered in March 2017.
·
Moderate golden yellow color in the
glass. Aromas of lemon, pineapple, crème brûlée, buttered toast and vanilla leap from the glass. Enters with
rich flavors of lemon, pineapple and pear and finishes with an arrow of bright acidity as a lemon-scented note.
Slightly creamy and soothing in texture, with some lingering fruit-scented finish.
Score: 93.
Reviewed April 14, 2018
ARTICLE »
2015 LUTUM Gap’s Crown Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.0% alc., $60. This label is a
collaboration between winemaker Gavin Chanin and Bill Price. Lutum is Latin for soil or dirt. Grapes picked at
2:00 a.m., harvest Brix 24.0º. 100% de-stemmed, 5-day cold soak. Aged 15 months in French oak barrels, 25%
new and bottled unfiltered in March 2017.
·
Moderate garnet color in the glass. Aromas of cherry, fertile earth,
and leafy herbs lead off. Mid weight in style with redeeming flavors of dark red stone and berry fruits with an
underlying compliment of toasty oak. Gracious tannins ply the background and the wine finishes with juicy
succulence. Noticeably more expressive and cohesive when tasted the following day from a previously opened
and re-corked bottle.
Score: 92.
Reviewed April 14, 2018
ARTICLE »
2013 LUTUM Bien Nacido Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir
13.42% alc., 650 cases, $50. From
blocks N and Q. Harvest Brix 23.6º. 100% de-stemmed, 5-day cold soak, aged 15 months in 100% French oak
barrels, 25% new. Unfiltered.
·
Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. On the nose, dark cherries and
spice mix with dried herbs and dried mushrooms. The entry is earthy, with fruit flavors of raspberry and black
cherry, and a touch of spice. A charming wine with silky tannins and impeccable balance.
Score: 93.
Reviewed May 14, 2015
ARTICLE »
2013 LUTUM Durell Vineyard Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
13.82% alc., 150 cases, $50. Harvest Brix 23.9º.
Aged 12 months in 100% French oak barrels, 33% new. Racked, lightly fined and put back into barrel and
bottled unfiltered.
·
Moderately light golden yellow color in the glass. Complex nose offering scents of lemon
bar, melon, apple, fig spread and a hint of oak. Very charming on the palate with flavors of lemon and yellow
apple, and a slightly lush and creamy mouth feel. The wine’s bracing acidity offers a mouthwatering sensation.
Score: 91.
Reviewed May 14, 2015
ARTICLE »
2013 LUTUM Gap’s Crown Vineyard Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
14.17% alc., 200 cases, $50. Harvest Brix 23.9º.
Aged 12 months in 100% French oak barrels, 30% new. The
wine was racked, lightly fined and put back into barrel before
being bottled unfiltered.
·
Light golden yellow hue in the glass.
This is an exceptional wine that checks all the squares. Uplifting
aromas of lemon cake, peach, sea breeze, and chalk dust lead
to a flat-out delicious core of lemon, yellow grilled peach and yuzu zest.
Impeccable balance with seamless integration of oak and a bright, juicy
demeanor. The finish is remarkable for its length, expansive lemon
flavor, and cleansing acidity. Goes down like mother’s milk.
Score: 95.
Reviewed May 14, 2015
ARTICLE »
2013 LUTUM La Rinconada Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
14.9% alc., 225 cases, $50.
Harvest Brix 24.6º. 100% de-stemmed, 4-day cold soak, aged 15 months in 100% French oak barrels,
33% new. Unfiltered.
·
Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Alluring aromas of fresh black
cherry pie, spice and sweet oak. Gorgeous mid weight plus fruit core featuring lightly spiced black
cherry and boysenberry with an earthy tone and a taste of iron. Substantial tannins are folded in with
seamless awareness. Very classy juice that is infused with vibrancy, finishing with a juicy cut of acidity.
The best wine I have had from this vineyard in recent memory.
Score: 94.
Reviewed May 14, 2015
ARTICLE »
2013 LUTUM Durell Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.13% alc., 250 cases, $60. Harvest Brix 24.3º.
100% 667 clone. 100% de-stemmed, 5-day cold soak, aged 15 months in 100% French oak barrels, 33% new.
Unfiltered.
·
Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. The nose is quite shy and primary initially with subtle
aromas of cherry and raspberry. Over time in the glass, a pleasing deep cherry aromas emerges. Bright and
juicy with flavors of earth-kissed red cherry and cranberry, offering good mid palate richness and a modest
explosion of red fruits on the finish. The tannins are modest and oak plays a supportive role in the background.
Score: 92.
Reviewed May 14, 2015
ARTICLE »
2013 LUTUM Gap’s Crown Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
13.9% alc., 300 cases, $60. Harvest Brix
23.9º. 100% de-stemmed, 5-day cold soak, aged 15 months in 100% French oak barrels, 33% new.
Unfiltered.
·
Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. This wine is primarily driven by red fruits with
aromas of crushed cherry and strawberry, and flavors of cherry, cranberry and raspberry. There is good
vibrancy, balanced tannins and substantial finishing power. Nicely crafted with seamless balance.
Score: 92.
Reviewed May 14, 2015
ARTICLE »
2011 LUTUM La Rinconada Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
13.01% alc.,
125 cases, $50. Mt. Eden clone planted in Santa Lucia shaly clay loam. 25%
whole cluster.
·
Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Welcoming
aromas of earth-kissed cherry, forest floor, spice and a hint of vanilla. Delicately
weighted but flavorful, featuring cherry and red berry fruits with good intensity
and finishing length. Supple tannins, juicy acidity in the background, and an
appealing freshness and transparency complete the picture. This wine leaves a
smile on your face.
Score: 90.
Reviewed January 20, 2014
ARTICLE »
2011 LUTUM Durell Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
13.39% alc., 125 cases, $60. Clone 667 planted in
Goulding cobbly clay loam. Brix at harvest 22.5º. 100% de-stemmed.
·
Light garnet in color in the glass.
Aromatic from the start, with scents of cherry, raspberry, sandalwood and a pleasant note of spice. Light in
weight but flavorful, featuring a cherry theme that makes an impression on the mid palate, carrying over to a
refreshing finish fueled by bright acidity. The tannins are reserved and the sense is one of liveliness. There are
complimentary notes of strawberry, earth, grass, grilled mushroom and oak in the background.
Score: 88.
Reviewed January 20, 2014
ARTICLE »
2015 LUTUM Gap’s Crown Vineyard Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
13.2% alc., $50. Fruit picked in the early morning at 22.3º Brix, pressed and put into French oak barrels, 25% new. After fermentation and aging for 15 months, the wine was lightly fined and bottled unfiltered in March 2017. · Moderate golden yellow color in the glass. Aromas of lemon, pineapple, crème brûlée, buttered toast and vanilla leap from the glass. Enters with rich flavors of lemon, pineapple and pear and finishes with an arrow of bright acidity as a lemon-scented note. Slightly creamy and soothing in texture, with some lingering fruit-scented finish. Score: 93. Reviewed April 14, 2018 ARTICLE »
2015 LUTUM Gap’s Crown Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.0% alc., $60. This label is a collaboration between winemaker Gavin Chanin and Bill Price. Lutum is Latin for soil or dirt. Grapes picked at 2:00 a.m., harvest Brix 24.0º. 100% de-stemmed, 5-day cold soak. Aged 15 months in French oak barrels, 25% new and bottled unfiltered in March 2017. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Aromas of cherry, fertile earth, and leafy herbs lead off. Mid weight in style with redeeming flavors of dark red stone and berry fruits with an underlying compliment of toasty oak. Gracious tannins ply the background and the wine finishes with juicy succulence. Noticeably more expressive and cohesive when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Score: 92. Reviewed April 14, 2018 ARTICLE »
2013 LUTUM Bien Nacido Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir
13.42% alc., 650 cases, $50. From blocks N and Q. Harvest Brix 23.6º. 100% de-stemmed, 5-day cold soak, aged 15 months in 100% French oak barrels, 25% new. Unfiltered. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. On the nose, dark cherries and spice mix with dried herbs and dried mushrooms. The entry is earthy, with fruit flavors of raspberry and black cherry, and a touch of spice. A charming wine with silky tannins and impeccable balance. Score: 93. Reviewed May 14, 2015 ARTICLE »
2013 LUTUM Durell Vineyard Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
13.82% alc., 150 cases, $50. Harvest Brix 23.9º. Aged 12 months in 100% French oak barrels, 33% new. Racked, lightly fined and put back into barrel and bottled unfiltered. · Moderately light golden yellow color in the glass. Complex nose offering scents of lemon bar, melon, apple, fig spread and a hint of oak. Very charming on the palate with flavors of lemon and yellow apple, and a slightly lush and creamy mouth feel. The wine’s bracing acidity offers a mouthwatering sensation. Score: 91. Reviewed May 14, 2015 ARTICLE »
2013 LUTUM Gap’s Crown Vineyard Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
14.17% alc., 200 cases, $50. Harvest Brix 23.9º. Aged 12 months in 100% French oak barrels, 30% new. The wine was racked, lightly fined and put back into barrel before being bottled unfiltered. · Light golden yellow hue in the glass. This is an exceptional wine that checks all the squares. Uplifting aromas of lemon cake, peach, sea breeze, and chalk dust lead to a flat-out delicious core of lemon, yellow grilled peach and yuzu zest. Impeccable balance with seamless integration of oak and a bright, juicy demeanor. The finish is remarkable for its length, expansive lemon flavor, and cleansing acidity. Goes down like mother’s milk. Score: 95. Reviewed May 14, 2015 ARTICLE »
2013 LUTUM La Rinconada Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
14.9% alc., 225 cases, $50. Harvest Brix 24.6º. 100% de-stemmed, 4-day cold soak, aged 15 months in 100% French oak barrels, 33% new. Unfiltered. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Alluring aromas of fresh black cherry pie, spice and sweet oak. Gorgeous mid weight plus fruit core featuring lightly spiced black cherry and boysenberry with an earthy tone and a taste of iron. Substantial tannins are folded in with seamless awareness. Very classy juice that is infused with vibrancy, finishing with a juicy cut of acidity. The best wine I have had from this vineyard in recent memory. Score: 94. Reviewed May 14, 2015 ARTICLE »
2013 LUTUM Durell Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.13% alc., 250 cases, $60. Harvest Brix 24.3º. 100% 667 clone. 100% de-stemmed, 5-day cold soak, aged 15 months in 100% French oak barrels, 33% new. Unfiltered. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. The nose is quite shy and primary initially with subtle aromas of cherry and raspberry. Over time in the glass, a pleasing deep cherry aromas emerges. Bright and juicy with flavors of earth-kissed red cherry and cranberry, offering good mid palate richness and a modest explosion of red fruits on the finish. The tannins are modest and oak plays a supportive role in the background. Score: 92. Reviewed May 14, 2015 ARTICLE »
2013 LUTUM Gap’s Crown Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
13.9% alc., 300 cases, $60. Harvest Brix 23.9º. 100% de-stemmed, 5-day cold soak, aged 15 months in 100% French oak barrels, 33% new. Unfiltered. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. This wine is primarily driven by red fruits with aromas of crushed cherry and strawberry, and flavors of cherry, cranberry and raspberry. There is good vibrancy, balanced tannins and substantial finishing power. Nicely crafted with seamless balance. Score: 92. Reviewed May 14, 2015 ARTICLE »
2011 LUTUM La Rinconada Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
13.01% alc., 125 cases, $50. Mt. Eden clone planted in Santa Lucia shaly clay loam. 25% whole cluster. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Welcoming aromas of earth-kissed cherry, forest floor, spice and a hint of vanilla. Delicately weighted but flavorful, featuring cherry and red berry fruits with good intensity and finishing length. Supple tannins, juicy acidity in the background, and an appealing freshness and transparency complete the picture. This wine leaves a smile on your face. Score: 90. Reviewed January 20, 2014 ARTICLE »
2011 LUTUM Durell Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
13.39% alc., 125 cases, $60. Clone 667 planted in Goulding cobbly clay loam. Brix at harvest 22.5º. 100% de-stemmed. · Light garnet in color in the glass. Aromatic from the start, with scents of cherry, raspberry, sandalwood and a pleasant note of spice. Light in weight but flavorful, featuring a cherry theme that makes an impression on the mid palate, carrying over to a refreshing finish fueled by bright acidity. The tannins are reserved and the sense is one of liveliness. There are complimentary notes of strawberry, earth, grass, grilled mushroom and oak in the background. Score: 88. Reviewed January 20, 2014 ARTICLE »